Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-23

he DOES NOT THINK INFECTED CATTLE HAVE BEEN
BROUGHT HERE FROM MARYLANp-rHE .QUARAN-
TINE IS TOO STREET.-THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
ON THE ALERT.
STAR reporter had a talk with DR.. D. E. Sal
mon, chief Of the Bureau OF Animal Industry Of the
Agricultural Department, to-day, in regard to the
prevalence OF pleuro-pneumonia among cattle in
this vicinity. There have been rumors that dis
eased cattle had been slaughtered and sold for
beef In this city. Df. Salmon said:
several years ago the disease prevailed in the
District, but we succeeded quite effectually in
stamping 1T out. We were assisted by the health
once, which always co-operates with us. For
Two years or more have not heard OF any dis
e@aseu @ cattie IN the District and II, during that
tinle, tnere mas been any pleurO-pneumon1a,
think the cases have been rare. We intend to
MAKE ma another inspection very soon, and we shall
ask the assistance Of the District Commissioners
NO oouOt they Will cheerfully grant it,"
THE DISEASE IN MARYLAND.
"Ihe disease has prevailed extensively in Mary
land he said especially In the vicinity OF Balti
more; but we have been diligently at work, and
have almost succeeded In getting rid OF 1t. We
nave slaughtered and paid for 500 diseased cat
tie in the State Of Maryland. Some cases OF the
disease nave been found In Maryland near the Dis
trict line and while it was possible for diseased
cattle from herds in this vicinity to have been sold
Tor beef In Washington, ! do not believe that has
been done. Our inspectors are v1g1lant. You see
the disease never entirely leaves the lungs OF an
animal once attacked. The animal may seem to
nave recovered; 1t eats as WELL and perhaps looks
as well as ever, but the lungs are still diseased
and our inspectors examine the lungs Of every
mead OF cattle in herd inspected. II any ami
NAL has ever been afflicted they discover 1t, and
then the proper precautions are taken. In fact,
we have the infected district Of Maryland so
thoroughly Quarantined that no cattle could be
sent from them to any market"
A FALSE ALARM.
''Some time ago." continued DR.. Salmon, "Com.
| missioner Colman under the seal Of confidence,
was advised that herd Of highly bred cattle not
| great distance from Washington was afflicted
with pleuro- pneumonia. The Commissioners in
fOrmant said the owner OF the herd had invested
all his means in these cattle, and to lose them
would bankrupt him. II the Government was
willing to buy the herd at a fair valuation the
owner was ready to dispose of his cattle In that
way, but II the Government would only pay a
small price, then the owner, as matter OF protec-
ton against financial run was determined to dis
pose OF his cattle surreptitiOusly. The Bureau OF
Animal Industry learned OF the case. but did not
know the name or the residence OF the owner OF
the herd. By dint Of persistent inquiry, however.
the herd was finally located and inspected, aud
the owners heart made glad by the assurance that
1t was not pieuro- pneumonia that troubled his
CATTLE"
REQUEST OF THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS.
The commissioners have requested Commis-
sioner Colman, Of the Agricultural Department, to
lend the health officer the aid OF an expert officer
OF the Bureau of Animal Industry in examining
as to the alleged prevalence OF pleurO-pneumOnia